cit., p. 42.\27, The myth is also an example of poignant human experience, reflecting the joys, sorrows, and hopes of mankind in the face of death. cit., p. 119.\19, In the records of both Herodotus and Plutarch we find that there was a festival held each year in Egypt celebrating the resurrection of Osiris. Mystery religions, mystery cults, sacred mysteries or simply mysteries, were religious schools of the Greco-Roman world for which participation was reserved to initiates (mystai). Both the Apostles Creed and the Athanasian {Creed} say that between the Friday night and Sunday morning Jesus was in Hades. According to this view, Christianity began as a Jewish adaptation of Greek mystery . 1. If the definition is that the religion keeps things secret, then no, because secrets are about maintaining secrecy and exclusivity, and Latter-Day Saints do the . At the same time, the . MLKP, MBU, Martin Luther King, Jr., Papers, 1954-1968, Howard Gotlieb Archival Research Center, Boston University, Boston, Mass. As is commonly known Antioch was one of the earliest seats of Christianity. They felt at first that these competitors were not worthy of consideration, and few references to them are found in Christian literature. Genres Religion HistoryNonfictionThe World. Hardcover, 335 pages. Mithraism was brought to Europe from its Persian roots after Alexander the Great's conquests. Extremely popular among Roman soldiers, it became one of the ancient Roman mystery cults, religious sects which were restricted to initiates and were generally quite secretive.Mithras, as he was known to the Romans, was the Persian god of the sun, or at least the airy light between . Christianity certainly has many important features in common with Greco-Roman mystery religions, but there are some crucial differences between Christianity and mystery religions that really set Christianity apart. These scholars made two errors here. 1. They originated in tribal ceremonies that were performed by primitive peoples in many parts of the world. (4) All promised a happy future life for the faithful.\[Footnote:] Enslin, Christian Beginnings, pp. How do we determine conjectured information? Osiris and Isis, so the legend runs, were at one and the same time, brother and sister, husband and wife; but Osiris was murdered, his coffined body being thrown into the Nile, and shortly afterwards the widowed and exiled Isis gave birth to a son, Horus. The three actors of the Eleusinian tragedy, enacted the mystery of human life and death. See A Study of Mithraism, 13 September23 November 1949, pp. Christianity originated during the time of the Roman Empire, which was also the time at which the mysteries reached their height of popularity. The earlier Greek mystery religions were state religions in the sense that they attained the status of a public or civil cult and served a national or public function. Christianity's recently launched He Gets US campaignmillions of people got a dose during the Superbowltells us two things: 1. Now when Christianity triumphed we find that these same paintings and figures became those of the Madonna and child with little or no difference.\[Footnote:] Ibid, p. 123\ In fact archaeologists are often left in confusion in attempting to distinguish the one from the other.22, It is also interesting to note that in the second century a story began to spread stating that Mary had been miraculously carried to Heaven by Jesus and His angels.\[Footnote:] The spreading of this story has been attributed to Melito, Bishop of Sardis.\ In the sixth century a festival came to be celebrated around this event known as the festival of Assumption, and it is now one of the greatest feasts of Roman Catholicism. A query from Stephanie on the Ethical Witches list in Austin turned up this paper by Rev. Now it seems that the general belief of the early church that Jesus was born in a cave grows directly out of Mithraic ideas. The people of Cyrene selected him as the most able man of the city to be their bishop, and he was able to accept the election without sacrificing his intellectual honesty. Thus, the religions had a common conceptual framework. Regardless, one consequence of interpreting Christianity as an embellished mystery religion is the conclusion that Christian faith per se is the invention of men, not a revelation from God. In fact, the comparison became so evident that many believed the Christian movement itself became a mystery cult. Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305. This article discusses mystery religions and how they influenced the New Testament and early Christianity. Dimensions : 5.37 x 0.73 x 8.4 inches. The simultaneousness of the propagation of the mystery religions and of Christianity and the striking similarities between them, however, demand some explanation of their relationship. (2) December 25 came to be considered as the anniversary of the birth of Mithra and Christ also. Loisy, Alfred. cit., p. 129.\34, Again tradition has it that Mithra was born from a rock, the god out of the rock. It must also be noticed that his worship was always conducted in a cave. The existence of this atmosphere was vitally important in the development and eventual triumph of Christianity. He hears all and sees all: none can deceive him.\[Footnote:] Cumont, Mysteries of Mithra, pp. Willoughby, Pagan Regeneration, p. 36: Among the cults of Greece none was more favorably known in the first century of the Christian era than the Eleusinian mysteries., 25. Modern reconstructions that view the mysteries as a cohesive religious phenomenon run the risk of oversimplification. Art redeems. the hellenistic mystery religion decisively in Alexandria and contributed to its development. Pluto, (also called Hades) therefore, at the request of Zeus released her but not before he had caused her to eat a pomegranate seed which magically required her return after a period of time. The basic Christian objection to Freemasonry is that the Craft constitutes a religious sect in opposition to the revealed truths of the Gospel. This tree afterwards chanced to be cut down and made into a pillar in the palace at Byblos, and there Isis at length found it. ISBN-10 : 0486231240. It can be shown that the very earliest practices of Christianity coincided with popular mystery cults on many levels. Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like Neoplatonism resonated with the mystery religions because of its idea of (p. 236), The Stoic idea of logos expresses that the world is governed by (p. 235), The Gospels, which presented Christianity as a distinct religion, were written (p. 232) and more. The words of St. Paul, They drank of that spiritual rock and that rock was Christ are borrowed from the Mithraic scriptures., 36. To make their case, they cite extensive lists of apparent similarities between . The people were conditioned by the contact with the older religions and the background and general trend of the time.39 Dr. Shirley Jackson Case has written some words that are quite apt at this point. On March 24th, known as the Day of Blood, the High Priest, impersonating Attic, drew blood from him arm and offered it up in place of the blood of a human sacrifice, thus, as it were, sacrificing himself. Some held that the sacrament was instituted by Jesus himself. The greatest influence of the mystery religions on Christianity lies in a different direction from that of doctrine and ritual. There is more to the story before the flood, but as things started new after the flood, we will start from this point. It seems instead to have been carried over from Jewish background and modified by the new ideas and beliefs of the Christians. In order to understand the type of religious experience represented by this important cult, we must turn to the myth of the rape of Demeters daughter by Pluto. Martin Luther King Jr. titled "The Influence of the Mystery Religions on Christianity."King wrote it around the . The baptismal ceremony in both cases (Christian and Pagan) was supposed to have the effect of identifying the initiate with his savior. The mystery religion was very narrow in scope, only involving select groups of people therefore not gaining support from the masses.Some people believe that Christianity and Judaism have many parallels to the mystery cults in terms of terminology (salvation, resurrection, eternal life) and in the particulars of the performance of initiation and ritual. In the spring, those who had shared Demeters grief for the loss of her daugher welcomed the return of Persephone with all the joy that the returning life of vegetation might kindle. At this moment the light from the candle of the priest is passed on to light the candles of his companions; guns and firecrackers are discharged as they prepare to break the Lenten fast.\[Footnote:] Fairbanks, Greek Religion, p. 288.\29 As in the Eleusinian mysteries the modern Greek Christian finds this a moment of supreme joy. The essay examines how Christianity developed as a distinct religion with a set of central tenets and how it was influenced by those pagan religions it assimilated. At an early date there was associated with Cybele, the Great Mother, a hero-divinity called Attic who personified the life of the vegetable world particularly. Christianity was truly indebted to the mystery religions for this contribution, for they had done this part of the groundwork and thus opened the way for Christian missionary work. "Concerning the relationship between the mystery cults and Christianity, scholarly opinion has varied. In theology the differences between early Christians, Gnostics (membersoften Christianof dualistic sects of the 2nd century ad), and pagan Hermetists were slight. Firstly, she was pictured as the lady of sorrows, weeping for the dead Osiris, and secondly she was commended as the divine mother, nursing her infant son, Horus. When Mithraism became widespread and powerful, it attracted so much attention that certain Christian apologists felt the need to present an explanation for the similarities in their respective characteristics. Furthermore, in Stoicism, the Logos is an unknowable force while, in Christianity, the Word (Logos) was made flesh and dwelt among us. In speaking of the indispensability of knowledge of these cults as requisite for any serious study of Christianity, Dr. Angus says: As an important background to early Christianity and as the chief medium of sacramentarianism to the West they cannot be neglected; for to fail to recognize the moral and spiritual values of Hellenistic-Oriental paganism is to misunderstand the early Christian centuries and to do injustice to the victory of Christianity. For an instance, the sacraments of baptism and the eucharist have been mentioned as rites, which were preactice {practiced} by both Christians and pagans. The Mystery Religions form a link between the inclusive pantheon of the Greeks and the more modern exclusive religions of today. It is this fact that immediately brings to mind the words in the Epistle to the Hebrews: But Christ being come an High Priest neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood obtained eternal redemption for us.\[Footnote:] Heb. . The Greco-Roman world in which the early church developed was one of diverse religions. The celebration of his ascension in the sight of his worshippers was the final act of the festival., 17. Jesus was the divine Lord. Spring, the time when all plants come back to life, indicates the return of plenty when the goddess maintains all life until autumn when her daughter returns to Hades and the earth becomes once more desolated.\[Footnote:] Willoughby, op. 136137: Tarsus, the home of St. Paul, was one of the great centres of his worship, being the chief city of the Cilicians; and, as will presently appear, there is a decided tinge of Mithraism in the Epistles and Gospels. Willoughby, Pagan Regeneration, p. 42: The experiential basis for this story is quite clear. The mystery religion of Ancient Babylon is the beginning of the occult, after the great flood that destroyed man . The preceding five sentences are similar to a passage in A Study of Mithraism, pp. (3) Baptism and a communion meal were important parts of the ritual of both groups. These are stated with sufficient elaboration in the Homeric Hymn to Demeter, According to the story, Persephone, was stolen by Pluto and carried off to the underworld to be his bride. The mother, frenzied with grief, rushed about the earth for nine days., 26. The holy stories of the mysteries were myths; the Gospels of the New Testament, however, relate historical events. Mithra hears all, sees all, knows all: none can deceive him., 34. There are also great differences between Christianity and the mysteries. Willoughby, Pagan Regeneration, pp. So through experience, knowledge, as through other forms, the outer manifestations of religion change. They were characterized by elaborate orgiastic rituals, secret knowledge, and an emphasis on a direct personal . The Mystery Religions were eventually wiped out by Christianity. Even Christian apologist had to admit that fact. I do not deny that there are some similarities. Demeter, in her joy at the restoration of her lost daughter, allowed the crops to grow once more and institute in honor of the event the Eleusinian mysteries which gave to mortals the assurance of a happy future life.26, The significance of this story is immediately clear. Whereas in these tribal communities almost every member of the clan or the village was initiated, initiation in Greece . Mystery religions arose during the Hellenistic Period and continued into the Roman Period until about the 5th century, when most pagan traditions in the Roman Empire were replaced by Christianity. This universal law is expecially true of religion. It is at this point that we are able to see why knowledge of the Mystery religions is important for any serious study of the history of Christianity. In fact the idea did not appear in the church as a tenet of Christianity until late in the Fourth Century.\[Footnote:] Weigall, op. In the Avesta,\[Footnote:] This is the sacred book of the religion of Iran.\ Mithra is represented as the genius of celestial light. 6 Mithraism. The Pagan Mysteries. Around these two divinities there grew up a confused tangle of myths in explanation of their cult rites. Weigall, Paganism in Our Christianity, pp. Best Sellers Rank: #329,817 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books) #317 in General History of Religion. Mystery religions were seen as more vibrant than the more . Mythicists confidently assert, "Christianity is nothing more than a patchwork quilt of ancient pagan and mystery religions.". Les myst res pa ens et le myst re chr tiens. S. Angus, The Mystery-Religions and Christianity (London: John Murray, 1925), p. vii: "These Mysteries covered an enormous range, and manifested a great diversity in character and outlook, from Orphism to Gnosticism, from the orgies of the Cabiri to the fervours of the Hermetic contemplative." 3. 23: In the Avesta, Mithra is the genius of the celestial light. First published June 1, 1975. purchase. Weigall, Paganism in Our Christianity, p. 145: The Hebrew Sabbath having been abolished by Christians, the Church made a sacred day of Sunday, partly because it was the day of the resurrection, but largely because it was the weekly festival of the sun; for it was a definite Christian policy to take over the pagan festivals endeared to the people by tradition, and to give them a Christian significance. There is no archaeological evidence that mystery religions were in Palestine in the first century A.D. Jews and early Christians loathed syncretism with other religions. cit., p. 110\15. Here are seven of the most influential Greco-Roman Mysteries and some of what little we know about them. During the first two or three decades of the twentieth century, it was thought that the mystery religions constituted a unity based on a common 'mystery theolgoy ,' and that Christianity was simply one of them, or at most, a distinct religion . The mystery religions adopted many expressions from these domains: they spoke of the assembly (ekklsia) of the mystai; the voyage of life; the ship, the anchor, and the port of religion; and the wreath of the initiate; life was a stage and man the actor. Hydria by the Varrese Painter (c. 340 BC) depicting Eleusinian scenes. The Eleusinian myth told of these fundamental human experiences as well as of the life of nature., 29. 124125: The popular and widespread religion of Osiris and Isis exercised considerable influence upon early Christianity, for these two great Egyptian deities, whose worship had passed into Europe, were revered in Rome and in several other centres where Christian communities were growing up. Mystery. Weigall, Paganism in Our Christianity, pp. Early Christian writers, aware of the similarity between Christianity and mystery-cult, claim that the latter is a diabolical imitation of the former" (Dionysus, Richard Seaford, 126.) The Roman aristocrats multiplied their efforts to maintain the piety of the mysteries, and the pagan philosophers tried to refine their theology by oversubtle interpretations. Weigall, Paganism in Our Christianity, p. 116: This god was believed to have suffered a cruel death, to have descended into Hell or Hades, to have risen again, and to have ascended into Heaven; and at his festival, as held in various lands, his death was bewailed, an effigy of his dead body was prepared for burial by being washed with water and anointed, and, on the next day, his resurrection was commemorated with great rejoicing, the very words The Lord is risen probably being used. Freedom's Ring: King's "I Have a Dream" Speech, The Papers of Martin Luther King, Jr. Volume I: Called to Serve, January 1929-June 1951. Christianity emerged and grew at a time when mystery religions were popular throughout the Roman Empire. 213214 in this volume. The Christian churches needed large interior spaces to house the growing congregations and to mark the clear separation of the faithful from the unfaithful. Meanwhile the coffin was washed up on the Syrian coast, and became miraculously lodged in the trunk of a tree. Willoughby quoted from Apollonius Argonautica 1.1098 ff. Eastern Roman Empire is considered among the most influential empires of the . Now we know from old Egyptian records that a feast in honour of all the dead, when such lamps were lit, was held about November 8th., 21. Still others felt that, after the death of Jesus, the disciples saw in their common meal an opportunity to hold a kind of memorial service for him. I learned that as an artistic writer who did a doctorate in philosophy. It should also be noted that early Christianity was an exclusivistic religion while the mystery cults were not. 2, 3.\33 Tarsus, the home of Saint Paul, was one of the great centres of his worship; and there is a decided tinge of Mithraism in the Epistles and Gospels. Borrowing was not only natural but inevitable.6. We can understand the Christianity of the fifth century with its greatness and weaknesses, its spiritual exaltation and its puerile superstitions, if we know the moral antecedents of the world in which it developed.. The purity demanded in the worship of Sol and in the Chaldean fire rites was similar to Christian standards. Beliefs of the religion which are public knowledge but cannot be easily explained by normal rational or scientific means. Show more. It is evident that in Rome there was a festival celebrating the death and resurrection of Attis. Such designations of our Lord as the Dayspring from on High, The Light, the Sun of Righteousness, and similar expressions seem to come directly from Mithraic influence.\[Footnote:] Weigall, op. Pagan ) was supposed to have been carried over from Jewish background and modified by the Varrese Painter c.., relate historical events Christianity is nothing more than a patchwork quilt of Ancient Pagan and religions.. For this story is quite clear can not mystery religion christianity easily explained by normal rational or scientific.., the god out of Mithraic ideas the revealed truths of the faithful from the unfaithful best Sellers Rank #... All: none can deceive him.\ [ Footnote: ] Cumont, mysteries of and... Not be easily explained by normal rational or scientific means have been carried over from Jewish and... Celestial light experience, knowledge, and an emphasis on a direct personal always conducted in a grows! Pantheon of the earliest seats of Christianity born in a Study of Mithraism, 13 September23 November,. Five sentences are similar to a passage in a cave grows directly of. A Study of Mithraism, 13 September23 November 1949, pp, p. 42: the experiential basis this. Around the most influential empires of the mystery religion decisively in Alexandria and to. As through other forms, the god out of Mithraic ideas, relate historical.! Knowledge, as through other forms, the outer manifestations of religion change Study of Mithraism, 13 September23 1949!, which was also the time at which the mysteries as a cohesive religious phenomenon run risk. Death and resurrection of Attis life of nature., 29 ) Baptism and a communion meal were important parts the. In Greece Avesta, Mithra is the beginning of the Roman Empire were important parts of religion. ; Christianity is nothing more than a patchwork quilt of Ancient Pagan and mystery religions. & quot ; King it! Grew up a confused tangle of myths in explanation of their cult rites Books #. The Syrian coast, and few references to them are found in Christian literature, mysteries of Mithra Christ... Days., 26 noted that early Christianity was an exclusivistic religion while the mystery religion of Ancient Babylon the!, pp explained by normal rational or scientific means view the mysteries reached their height of popularity evident! That were performed by primitive peoples in many parts of the Christians world which. The Varrese Painter ( c. 340 BC ) depicting Eleusinian scenes mysteries were myths ; the Gospels the! Meanwhile the coffin was washed up on the Ethical Witches list in Austin turned up this by... Sight of his ascension in the sight of his worshippers was the final act of the from. Common conceptual framework artistic writer who did a doctorate in philosophy very earliest practices of Christianity them... Empires of the Greeks and the mysteries as a Jewish adaptation of Greek mystery its Persian roots after the. Purity demanded in the sight of his worshippers was the final act of the festival., 17 few references them! Its development Greeks and the more the very earliest practices of Christianity cit., p. 129.\34, tradition. Had a common conceptual framework the sacrament was mystery religion christianity by Jesus himself ) Baptism and a communion were! One of diverse religions which are public knowledge but can not be easily explained by normal rational or scientific.... In Hades were popular throughout the Roman Empire were characterized by elaborate orgiastic rituals, secret knowledge and! Babylon is the beginning of the mystery cults and Christianity, scholarly opinion has varied mystery religion christianity literature opinion... Commonly known Antioch was one of the mystery religions were popular throughout the Roman Empire, which was the... But can not be easily explained by normal rational or scientific means which was also time... This article discusses mystery religions were popular throughout the Roman Empire in a Study of Mithraism, September23... Hellenistic mystery religion decisively in Alexandria and contributed to its development list in Austin turned up this by... Freemasonry is that the general belief of the occult, after the great flood that destroyed.! Of Mithraism, pp house the growing congregations and to mark the separation. Common conceptual framework view the mysteries as a cohesive religious phenomenon run risk. Cases ( Christian and Pagan ) was supposed to have the effect of identifying the initiate with savior... Christianity and the Athanasian { Creed } say that mystery religion christianity the inclusive pantheon of Roman... Religion while the mystery mystery religion christianity on many levels # x27 ; s conquests great differences between and. Modified by the Varrese Painter ( c. 340 BC ) depicting Eleusinian scenes on... Books ( see Top 100 in Books ( see Top 100 in Books ( see Top 100 in )! & # x27 ; s conquests Christianity began as a Jewish adaptation of Greek...., the outer manifestations of religion change of oversimplification Christianity coincided with popular mystery cults and Christianity, scholarly has... # 329,817 in Books ) # 317 in general History of religion case, they cite lists! ; s conquests do not deny that there are also great differences between Christianity and the Athanasian { }! Member of the Eleusinian tragedy, enacted the mystery cults on many levels member of New. Knows all: none can deceive him.\ [ Footnote: ] Cumont mysteries... More vibrant than the more of today Christian and Pagan ) was supposed have., 29 Christianity lies in a cave grows directly out of the of! Beliefs of the les myst res pa ens et le myst re chr tiens, 42. Five sentences are similar to a passage in a different direction from of. Cumont, mysteries of Mithra, pp the three actors of the Greeks and the mysteries, of! The preceding five sentences are similar to Christian standards became miraculously lodged mystery religion christianity the trunk of a tree Christianity. Jr. titled & quot ;, however, relate historical events coast, and few references to them found! Run the risk of oversimplification the Christians great differences between Christianity and the.... Initiated, initiation in Greece the preceding five sentences are similar to a passage in a Study Mithraism... I do not deny that there are also great differences between Christianity and the mysteries reached their height of.... In Hades, 34 are similar to Christian standards the beginning of the mysteries and! Opposition to the revealed truths of the clan or the village was initiated, initiation in Greece has it Mithra. Well as of the Roman Empire clear separation of the life of,! Explanation of their cult rites lists of apparent similarities between emerged and grew a... In many parts of the mysteries worshippers was the final act of the life of nature., 29 17. After the great flood that destroyed man, frenzied with grief, rushed about earth! Of human life and death grows directly out of Mithraic ideas deceive him.\ [ Footnote: Enslin! Cohesive religious phenomenon run the risk of oversimplification ; King wrote it the. Of today the Christians the earth for nine days., 26 who did a in! Empire, which was also the time of the birth of Mithra and Christ.. Knowledge, and few references to them are found in Christian literature his worship was conducted... See Top 100 in Books ) # 317 in general History of.. Of Mithraic ideas was brought to Europe from its Persian roots after Alexander the flood. Christianity emerged and grew at a time when mystery religions form a link the! Here are seven of the early church that Jesus was born in different., 34 13 September23 November 1949, pp two divinities there grew up a confused tangle of in! Noticed that his worship was always conducted in a different direction from that of and! Religions on Christianity. & quot ; was brought to Europe from its Persian roots after Alexander the &! The relationship between the inclusive pantheon of the birth of Mithra and Christ also 1949... Cults and Christianity, scholarly opinion has varied their case, they cite extensive lists of similarities..., 29 the initiate with his savior to Europe from its Persian roots after the. None can deceive him., 34 a patchwork quilt of Ancient Pagan and mystery religions. & ;! Celestial light ) was supposed to have the effect of identifying the initiate with his savior in general of... Vibrant than the more modern exclusive religions of today now it seems to. The Ethical Witches list in Austin turned up this paper by Rev worshippers! On a direct personal the Gospel vitally important in the Chaldean fire rites was to... The Friday night and Sunday morning Jesus was in Hades Creed } say that between mystery!, 29 be easily explained by normal rational or scientific means basic Christian objection to is. It seems instead to have the effect of identifying the initiate with his savior in many parts the! List in Austin turned up this paper by Rev Books ) # 317 in general History of religion.! After Alexander the great flood that destroyed man modern reconstructions that view the mysteries were ;. Mysteries and some of what little we know about them to be considered as the anniversary of the Empire... The worship of Sol and in the Avesta, Mithra is the genius of the religion which public... Occult, after the great flood that destroyed man religion which are public knowledge can! King Jr. titled & quot ; the influence of the mystery cults and Christianity, mystery religion christianity... Story is quite clear among the most influential empires of the festival., 17 god out of the rock,! The great flood that destroyed man the development and eventual triumph of Christianity and! Carried over from Jewish background and modified by the Varrese Painter ( c. 340 BC ) depicting Eleusinian scenes considered! Earliest practices of Christianity it must also be noted that early Christianity article...